Knockdown table



May 12, 1953 M. 'r. ULRICH 2,638,394

' KNOCKDOWN TABLE Filed June 28, 1949 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR. lV/AET/N I UL 2/0 y 1953 M. 'r. ULRICH 2,638,394-

xnocxnown TABLE Filed June 28, 1949 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR.

M/mr/A/ I 2/6 BY ZN,

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Patented May 12, 1953 OFFICE I KNOCKDOWN Martin T. Ulrich, Centerville, Calif. Application June 28, 1942, Serial No. 101,849

. 1 This invention relates to articles of furniture in the nature of tables which may be readily taken apart or condensed to occupy but a-fraction of the volumetric space taken up by the article in its useful assembled or expanded condition.

j An object of the invention is to provide a demountable table comprising but two components capable of being nested one within the otheiflwhen in disassembled condition so as to produce a package having an aggregate bulk of minimized volumetric content.

7, Another object of the invention is toprovide a table of thecharacter described with separate supportand roll-up top units which, although unusually light in construction, combine to produce an assembly possessing a high degree of structural strength, rigidity and stability.

Afurther object of the invention is to provide, in an article of the type referred to, improved construction affording a secure locking together of the relatively detachable parts of the structure so that rough handling, abnormal shocks or upsetting qfthe table will be unlikely to release the engagement between the parts. f

The invention possesses other objects and features of advantage, some of which, with the foregoing, will be set forth in the following description of the preferred form of the invention which. is illustrated in the drawing accompanying and forming part of the specification. It is to be understood, however, that variations in the showing made by the said drawing and descrip-, tion may be adopted within the scope of the invention as set forth in the claims.

Referring to the drawing: a

Figure 1 is a bottom perspective view of the tableof my invention shown in erected condition. a

Figure 2 is a side elevational view of the supporting stand shown in collapsed condition.

Figure 3 is a perspective view of the tabl'etop unit showing the latter in partially rolled up condition. a I

Figure 4 is an enlarged fragmental vertical sectional view taken substantially in the plane indicated by the line 4-4 of Figure l and illustrating one of the attachment locks between thetable top unit and the supporting stand.

Figure 5 is a portional bottom perspective view of a modified form oftable top together'with a portion of the support unit,

Figure 6 is a bottom 'plan view of .them'odified; table top with portions broken out topreserve 3 Claims. (Cl..311-78) Figure 7 is an enlarged bottom plan view of a portion of the modified table top.

Figure 8 is a vertical section taken on line 8-8 of Figure 7.

In the preferred form of my invention which" is illustrated in Figures 1 through 4 of the draw-- ings, I provide a table top unit comprising a plurality of slat me'mbers't grouped with their longitudinally relatively adjacent sides preferably in engagement'so as to provide a planar area of the size desired. As here shown, the slats 6 are constructed of wood, preferably oak or other material in the hardwood class, although it iswithin the scope of the invention tofuse metal'or other suitable material in the construction of the table top as will-be hereinafter more fully described. Joining all of the slats B are hinge members here shown as fabric tapes I of which slats; In the event that metal or other slats are employed, to which adhesive will not readily or securely bond, headed rivets may be substituted for the staples 8 as will be apparent to those skilled in the art. The described construction permits the table top,jfrom its flat condition of Figure 1, to be convolut'ely rolledto form the compact cylindriform bundle shown in Figure 3.

' Means'are' provided, operative when the table top is uncoiled to usable monoplanar condition, for engaging all of the slats so as to hold the table top against downward folding so as to support weighty objects which may beset on the upper orload-bearing surface thereof. Secured for pivotal movement to separate slats 6 adjacent diagonally opposite corners of the tabletop by rivet members 9, are separate stiifener rails l'l extending entirely across the width of the table" top indirections ilaterally of the slats. Spring" metal clips l2, each secured to'a slat spaced;

from the pivot members 9 and secured by screws [3; or ;the like are. provided for frictionally engaging the ,stiflener rails and yieldably holdin th latter in 'relativepar'allelismin their aforee; said operative positions laterally of the slats.

3 Preferably, the stifiener rails are formed of metal and in the interests of lightness may possess angle or channel bar cross-sectional form, the latter shape being preferable and shown in the drawing. In view of the channel shaped character of the rails, the clips l2 are each formed at their free ends with humped portions l4, adapted, when the rails are moved pivotally into engagement with the clips to ride over the con: fronting flange of the rails and thereafter to snap into the bosom [6 of the bars't'o retain the latter in releasable engagement with the clips.

When the stiffener rails are in their operativepositions of Figure l, the table top willbe heldthereby against downward flexing, the tape hinges 1 serving to resist substantial upwardflexin'g: However, upon releasing the rails from their respective holding clips l2, the former'rri'ay be swung about their pivot elements 9 to positions overlying and parallelingthe slats to which they are positivelyattached, thus permitting theitable top to be rolled into its cylindriform condition as shown in Figure 3. V

A modified form of table top is shownin, Figuresthrough 8 in whichthe slats- 36 comprising the table top are made or" sheet metal. Each slat is preferably formed with flanges extending dowr'iwardlyfrom the edgesthereof to provide a peripheral skirt 38 which extends completely around the slat, and to support the slatsin monoplanarrelation, the stiffener rails l I, heretofore described are utilized. Clips 0 are secured by suitable means to releasablyengagethe-free end ofthe stifiener rail ll. The clips Ml are similar to" the clips [2 of Figure 3 but utilize-a bent-over end portion or lip l i3 instead of the hump I4 of the clip IE to resiliently ho1d;therails in engagemerit' with the clips. I relative displacement by means oi a plurality of wires 39 which pass through axially alignedapersures 4T in the skirts 38 and which are disposedweavers theentire table top perpendicular to the'longit'udinal axes of theslats. Although only. twowi'res' are shown in the drawing it apparent'that'an'y suitable number of such wiresmight" be employed depending on the si ze-of the tablet Means are provided to secure the wires to the tabletop, and a'sher'e shown, such meansinclude; housings 42 attached'to' theunderside of eachof the e'nd slats and in which are disposed compres si on springs 44 axially aligned with the wires39 The inner end of each spring is heldin position byaportiori of the skirt 3Bwhile the outer endgis engagedby an axially displaceabldi'sk-46'which is attached to the wire end; In this manner, when thetable" top is in its operative or sateen:- dition; the tension imposed on the" wiresby 'the' s'pringsw i will urge the slats tawsrcseamemer:

formin'ga tbpwith' substantially no" spacsejxistirig between adjacent slats: On the other'ha'nd,= whenuflis cieSlredj to dismantle the" table; there will be s'ufiicient flexing'of'the springs'to'perni'it the-rolling ofthe'slats.

As part" of the table structure is'pi'o'vided" a:

unitary supporting stand engageableiii e'Xp'ah e'dcondition with the pre conditio'ned" planar? table topandserving in collapsed condition as an enclosing package forthe' table in itsrolled forih sofas to protect the latter against crushing or otherfdamag e' and torc'rm' with the table top, a.

. b'uhdleof the smallest practical volumetric contend- The entire supporting stand, in' theiritere'sts" or maximum strength and minimum weight andbulkisconst'ructed of metal; the majortpsrts; preferably being made" of the same stru tural.

The slats are held against 4 material as the stiiiener rails H. The stand, in horizontal cross-sectional form, constitutes a quadrilateral figure each vertical side of which is composed of a pair of diagonal bars I! which are relatively medially intersected and provided, at such intersection, with a connecting pin or rivet I8 forming a pivot about which the connected bars may swing. The lower ends of the coupled bars forming each side of the stand are connected with'I-the adj acen't" ends fof the" bars 0f the immediately intersecting sides by suitable foot members, here shown as sheet metal clips having horizontal base portions !3 from adjacent sides ofwhich-rise vertical flanges 2! attached. by rivets 22b1- other live pivot elements to the ends of the barsi lll. The-upper ends of the bars ll are similarly pivotally attached, by pins or rivets 23 to anglec'lip's, both flanges 24 of which are disposed in planar? normal relation to the underside of the table top. One flange of each upper cli laterallytraverses a stiffener bar ll of the table top and is provide'd'with notches 25 for the reception o'fthe bar flanges thereby providing, between the notches 2%; an integraltab portion 21 of each clip adaptedito conform with and'e'nter the bosom of the bar. Means is provided for detachably, connecting each upper clip to theadjacent stifien'er bar preferably comprising, and as here shown, an integral tabular spur 23 struck out from the web 29"of the's'tifiener bar into the bosom of the bar and arranged to slidably enter a latch aperture 3| formed in the tab portion 2"i'of each-upper clip. Suitable holding, means, here shown as medially'hin'ged links 32' interposed between pairs of the leg bars ii are provided" for locking the upper clipsiii'engagement withtheitabl'e top stilten'ei" bars with suflicierit' security 'to' resist any disconnection of" the latch structure regardless of the severity 'ofshock's or rough handling tliat may' be'im'pose'd onthe table. As will'bes'eeii' in Figures'l and 2 the links 32 are each pivotall'y secur'e'dto' the respective leg barsb'yrivets 33'and in their extended or locking position are disposedgene'rallyperpendic'ular'to the direction of movement of the spurs 28 into' their cooperative" apertures 3|.

It" will be noted that the construction of thesupporting stand. permits the latter to be expand'edoncontracted radially between an open positi'onwherein the upper'ciips' may be registered": andengaged with their latch, elements; and a. closed position wherein the respective vertical sides of the'siipporting'stand', after release of the upper lips from the latch elements 281 ma be caused to radially"approach each other to'as'sumei positions substantially'a's illustrate'din Figurezi When the table top'h as' been taken down and formed into it's rolle'd'conditio'n as shown in Figure 3; the" roll may be" placed axially vertically within the supporting stand as the latter is being radiallycollapsed. It willbe therefore seen that with theisiipportihg" frame. snugly engaging the outer peripheral surface of the rolledtable top,- the former will serve as a protective enclosing case for the .more-ifragile.table .top. It will also be seen lthatthenesting ofone component within the other will provide a bundle of the utmost compactness which will occupy, in. storage, a: volue metric areaof minimum size.

I claim:

1'.- A .demount'able table comprising, in .combination, a plurality of slat members contiguously arranged to formv a substantially flat tabletop, Hinge elements connecting adj acent slat members aridb'y means" of which the tabletop may be co'il'ed.

into a cylindriform bundle, at least one vertically flangedstiffener rail engaged with one of .said slat members and movable relative thereto from a position paralleling the latter slat member to aposition traversing others of the slat members to hold the table top against substantial flexure, means on one of the others of said slat members for releasably engaging said stiffener rail to hold the latter in said position traversing the slat members, a radially contractible supporting frame of generally rectangular cross-sectional form each side of which comprises a pair of crossed and pivotally engaged leg bars, clips pivotally engaged with and connecting the leg bars of each side of the supporting frame with leg bars of the adjacent sides thereof, said clips having notches therein for receiving the flanges of said stiffener rail so as to lock the supporting frame in engagement and against relative movement to the stiffener rail in one direction, tabs on said clips lying adjacent said stiffener rail, said tabs having latch apertures therein, and spur latch elements carried by said stiffener rail and engageable in the latch apertures of the clips for holding the supporting frame and stiffener rail against relative movement in another direction.

2. A demountable table, comprising in combination, a plurality of slat members contiguously arranged to form a substantially fiat table top, strips of flexible tape secured to and traversing said slat members on one side thereof and forming hinge elements connecting adjacent slat members and by means of which the table top may be coiled into a cylindriform bundle, a vertically flanged stifiener rail mount-ed for pivotal movement on one of said slat members and movable relative thereto from a position paralleling the latter slat member to a position traversing others of the slat members to hold the table top against substantial flexure, a spring clip member carried by one of said others of the slat members and frictionally engageable with the stiffener rail for releasably holding the latter in its position traversing the slat members, a radially contractible supporting frame of generally rectangular cross-sectional form each side of which comprises a pair of crossed and pivotally engaged legs bars, clips pivotally engaged with and connecting the leg bars of each side of the supporting frame with leg bars of the adjacent sides thereof, said clips 5;

having notches therein for receiving the flanges of said stiffener rail so as to lock the supporting frame in engagement and against relative movement to the stiffener rail in one direction, tabs on said clips lying adjacent said stiffener rail, said ill tabs having latch apertures therein, and spur latch elements carried by said stiffener rail and engageable in the latch apertures of the clips for holding the supporting frame and stiffener rail against relative movement in another direction.

3. A demountable table comprising, in combination, a plurality of slat members contiguously arranged to form a substantially flat table top, strips of flexible tape secured to and traversing said slat members on one side thereof and forming hinge elements connecting adjacent slat members and by means of which the table top may be coiled into a cylindriform bundle, a vertically flanged stiffener rail mounted for pivotal movement on one of said slat members and movable relative thereto from a position paralleling the latter slat member to a position traversing others of the slat members to hold the table top against substantial flexure, a spring clip member carried by one of said others of the slat members and frictionally engageable with the stiffener rail for releasably holding the latter in its position traversing the slat members, a radially contractible supporting frame of generally rectangular cross-sectional form each side of which comprises a pair of crossed and pivotally engaged leg bars, clips pivotally engaged with and connecting the leg bars of each side of the supporting frame with leg bars of the adjacent sides thereof, said clips having notches therein for receiving the flange of said stiffener rail. so as to lock the supporting frame in engagement and against movement relative to the stiffener rail in one direction, tabs on said clips lying adjacent said stiffener rail, said tabs having latch apertures therein, spur latch elements carried by said stifiener rail and engageable in the latch apertures of the clips for holding the supporting frame and stiffener rail against relative movement in another direction, and a medially hinged link pivotally engaged at its respective ends with leg bars of said supporting frame for holding the spur latch elements in 'engagementw-ith said latch apertures.

MARTIN T. ULRICH.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 283,119 Knapp Aug. 14, 1883 358,833 Bullock Mar. 8, 1887 1,295,194 Parelius Feb. 25, 1919 1,416,815 Graffam May 23, 1922 1,608,924 Brown Nov. 30, 1926 2,103,703 Van Kooten Dec. 28, 1937 

